Means for operating stop lights



June 24 1924. I 1,498,834

I J. w. CAIN MEANS FOR OPERATING STOP LIGHTS Filed Oct. 25, 192? Patented June 24, 124.

JAMES W. CAIN, 015' DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

MEANS FOR OPERATING STOP LIGHTS;

Appiication filed October 23, 1922. Serial 598,397.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES W. CAIN, a citizen of the United States of America, re-

siding at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Operating Stop Lights, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to the construction of stop lights for vehicles and means for operating such lights.

The invention relating to the construction of stop lights is claimed in divisional application N 0. 706,365 filed April 1.4, 1924.

Some of the objects of my invention are: to construct a casing for vehicle stop lights in which the lights may be efliciently arranged; which will be easy to manufacture and which is strong and durable; which is efiiciently divided into compartments; which has novel light sockets; which has few parts which will not easily become injured; in which the colorsof the tail light and signals are distinctive and eflicient; and to construct a switch for operating the light which is strong, efficient, and easily operated.

With these and other objects in view, one embodiment of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 presents diagrammatically the general arrangement and lmportantparts of my invention;

Figure 2 is a rear end view of the stop light casing;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 4;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4.4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of my improved switch;

Figure 6 is a central longitudinal section of the switch; and

Figure 7 is a section on line 77 of Figure 6, with the washer 65 in plan.

The casing 1 of my stop light maybe round, as shown, or it may be oval or of any other suitable shape. The casing face 2 is screw-threaded onto the casing and may be secured by any suitable means, such as a screw 3. As shown in Figure 3, my casing is divided into four compartments in a novel manner by dividing walls 4 and 5. The wall 4 consists of a single-piece of metal having upturned flanges 6 by means of which it is attached to the casing in any suitable manner, as by screws 7. The dividing wall 5 is attached to the casing in a similar manner. The wall 5 is bent near the center at right angles, separating the upper part of the casing Into two parts by means of the upturned part 8. The casing face is cut away at 9 as a stencil, producing the right and left hand pointers, the word Stop, and an opening for the tail light.

the insertion of the required number of lamp 7e bulbs. These sockets may have means, such as screws 12, to hold the bulbs firmly. There is an opening 13 from thelowercompartment. The casing is attached to a bracket 14 in any suitable manner, as by 7 bolts 15. This casing may have a slot 16 .in it for the purpose of attaching the license plate. It will be evident that this plate is illuminated by the light from the lower compartment passing through the opening 13. 80 Bolts 17 may be used to attach the bracket to I the usual fender 18.

As shown in the drawings, the lower compartment will contain the tail light 19 having suitable wires 20 to connect it with a 85 battery not shown. A stop light 21 is connected to a special form of switch by wires 22. The left-hand indicator is illuminated by a turning light 23'connected to a switch by wires 24. The right-hand light 25 is t connected to a switch by wires, not shown, similar to the wires 24. Y

My improved switch consists of a casing comprising an upper part 51 and a lower part 52. This casing may have suitable insulation 53. Each of the parts of the switch casing has a flange which is joined by screws 54. Within the casing is a pulling rod 55 having an outer insulated part 56. At-

tached to the upper part of'this rod by swag- 3 ing or by screw threads is a contact washer 57 having the usual return wire 58 connected to it. In the lower part of the switch casing is a s ring 59 attached to a half spool 60 b suitable means, such as a pin 61. Placed a ove the spool is an insulating washer 62 of fibrous material. "In the upper part of. the switch casing is a spring 63 havin a wire connection 64. A -shaped insulatm washer 65 made of fibrous material is place am Back of the stenciled. casing face is a lens 10. Thelower part 11 65 above the insulating washer 62 and above the lower end of the contact spring 63. retaining band 66 which is shaped in crosssection to surround the flanges on the parts of the switch casing may be attached ata suitable place by screws 67. The switch is operated by a connection 68 between the rod and a suitable hand or foot lever. It will be apparent that if the rod is pulled down against the pi'essure of the spring in the lower art of the switch casing, the washer will ma e contact with the spring in the upper part of the switch casing, causing the stop or right or left hand signals to operate depending on which switch rod is pulled.

Having described my invention, what ll claim and desire to protect by-Letters Patent is: y

1. An electric light switch comprising a casing, a rod in said casing having one en thereof extending through. said casing, a spring abutting, spool attached to said rod and surrounding said rod, a spring surrounding said rod; one end of said spring abutting said spool and the other end of said spring abutting an end of said casing; an insulating wall dividing said casing into upper and lower compartments; a spring'in A rod; a contact washer attached to enace compartment surrounding said the upper end of said rod; :an electric wire connection to said upper spring; a return electric wire connection to said washer and means to bring said washer in contact with said spring to operate said switch.

2. An electrical switch comprising a casing, an insulatingpartition in said casing dividing said casing into two compartments, a draw rod in said casing having one end thereof extending out of said casing, spring abutting means attached to saidv rod, a spring member surrounding said rod, one end of which abuts said abutting means and the other end of which abuts one end of said casing, whereby the switch is held normally in inoperative position; a contact attached to one end of said rod, said contact having an said upper d electrical connection, a spring contact means surrounding said rod, said contact having an electrical connection, one end of said spring contact being held by saidinsulating partition and means to move said rod to form an electrical circuit.

In testimony whereof ll afix my signature.

JAMES w. earn. 

